Johnathan Sanders: Thoughts of a guide.

[AeternusDoleo]

* Entry 117, personal file of Johnathan Sanders *

And so the engine of war clanks up into another gear. How long will we avoid it? Miners... it's ignorant to think we have no play in this. The raw materials we collect, and sell, usually to the highest bidder. Most of them go straight into the war machine. But the prices go up with the risks. Embargoes raised, and retaliation risked to any who break it. Demands go up, as do prices. The Junkers are in for a golden time.

Some strategic thoughts come to mind. Rheinland and Bretonia coming to blows... Bretonia's standing army is already severely battered in the Tau conflict. The nation faces military annihilation. However, a direct conflict with Rheinland might incline Liberty to respond and try to open a second front on Rheinland. Right in the Omega systems. I bet Liberty is itching to be able to strike at Rheinland's primary mining operations in the Omega systems, and put their ailing economy out of it's misery entirely. But that might incite Kusari to intervene on Rheinland's behalf as well. It's known those nations have become rather friendly in the recent past.

And there are other players to consider. The GMG, caught between Rheinland and Kusari. Their nature is as ours. Stay neutral, keep supplying. But I doubt either Kusari or Rheinland would allow for H Fuel export to their enemies. Good news for Pecos and South Shields, I suppose... If we can rack up H fuel synthesis. Perhaps we should investigate if the process can be done on Cardiff as well. Feels wrong to profiteer like this, but the alternative is leaving many Guildsmen unemployed. The loss of the Dublin Arranmore cooperation already forced a refocusing once, and the risk of the Omega border being closed is significant.

The Red Hessians. How will they react to a Bretonian invasion? The Bretonians are responding to the Kanzler's actions, which would suggest they, at least in the short term, have goals coinciding with the Hessians. But the Hessians are Rheinlanders - as such, unlikely to welcome Bretonian warships in their space. Note to self, contact them, find out how they see the current situation.

And what of ourselves. Guildsmen. Many of our ranks come from both Bretonia, and Rheinland. I cannot envision us siding with either without creating a rift within the Guild. But if our hand is forced, what option will remain. Aland is too large to move. Freistadt, and the mining operation there too important, though it has the advantage of still having the structural reinforcements of the last time it was threatened.

Troublesome times. We must be cautious.

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Wide awake in a world that sleeps, enduring thoughts, enduring scenes. The knowledge of what is yet to come.
From a time when all seems lost, from a dead man to a world, without restraint, unafraid and free.

Mostly retired Discovery member. May still visit from time to time.